Boiling the Frog

I recently broke a fast. The fast was from social media. In the weeks leading up to the fast, I realized the daily inner peace I normally have was being attacked and replaced by toxic, hellish substances. I eventually had to ask myself "Is this worth it?" After deciding, no, it wasn't worth it, I announced my fast on my social media platform of choice, and said "See you later" to my friends and family.

I really had no idea how long this fast would last. After considering the impacts, I decided to delete my account. So I scheduled it for deletion, then about 10 days or so went by, and I had to go back into my account to contact some folks about an upcoming wedding, and remind them that they hadn't yet responded to their invitations. This naturally reset my "deletion timer" for another two weeks. Bottom line, my account is still active.

As it turns out, it really doesn't matter whether my account is active or not. I discovered something valuable in my time away from social media, and that is this...there is life outside of social media. Shocking, I know. Not only is there life, there is good life. Fulfilling life. Not the kind of life where a daily dose of toxic vitriol gets loaded into the syringe and mainlined directly to my mind from every lame brain out there.

I realized I was the frog in the proverbial pot of water--(or is it a myth or a fable?), and that I was slowly boiling to death. Thankfully I hopped out.

So what's next? I've decided for the time being to keep my social media platform of choice account active. However, I am going to ruthlessly prune the list of people I "follow". If you're toxic, you're gone. But rest assured, spewer of hate, I am not abandoning you. I'm promoting you to where I should have placed you in the first place--on my prayer list. Yes, I'm taking you into the heat of the battle where, let me say it again, I should have had you in the first place. Foolish man that I am, I thought I could reason with you in public. But you, naked in the light of social media and in clear view of your toxic peers, dug in your heels, spurred on by pride to deny admitting that you might, just might, be wrong. So welcome to the real battle. Me praying for your lost soul before the God who made you. May you have neither rest nor peace, unitl you've made your peace with God.

Those who forget the past...

Recently I was asked the question “Why should religious liberty be able to trump civil liberty?” This is a great question, and it is one that flows out of the post-modern times that we in the United States now live in. The so called 'civil liberty' context in this case is this: Should homosexual individuals be able to demand a service from a private business that, if provided, would violate the business owners religious liberty, or freedom of conscience?

George Washington said the following in his Farewell Address “Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recommended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature. Alas! is it rendered impossible by its vices?”

Virtue, handed down by Providence, was a bedrock principle the Founders of this country embraced as they debated, crafted, and then codified the documents that forged this nation. The Declaration of Independence observes that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Creator, Judge, and Protector

“Created equal” means that we have an equal standing before God, the Creator. No individual or race is better than any other in His eyes, and in relation to Him. We would be a planet of robots if “created equal” meant anything else. It certainly does not mean an individual can demand something or anything from someone else because he is “equal” with everyone else.

The Founders recognized that God judges mankind. In what capacity does God judge? He judges the heart of man, what he thinks, what he says, and what he does. If these thoughts, intentions of the heart, and actions violate the standard of God for man, then man must pay the penalty for that sin, for he alone is responsible for his comport. Here is how the Declaration for Independence states the idea “We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions...”

We the people value virtue to the extent that we write it into our founding documents, chisel it in and on our public buildings, sing about it in our songs, and speak about it in our public meetings. We recognize our contingency on God and say as much in the Declaration of Independence: “...and for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

The Judeo-Christian Heritage

It is an inescapable fact that the Founders acknowledged the Bible and the God of the Bible as the Supreme Authority. Before debating on what to do about British oppression, the first Continental Congress, on Sept 7^th 1774 sought guidance from the King of kings and Lord of lords, ending the prayer with “All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Thy Son and our Savior.”

The Constitution itself closes with the following: “...done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven...”

The point is simply this. The United States of America was founded upon the virtue of acknowledging, believing, and acting upon the relationship of the creature to the Creator as described in the Bible. Does this mean that all the Founders were perfect, or that anyone since is? Of course not. What it does mean is that every individual, as well as the nation as a whole, is personally responsible to the One who knows the intentions of the heart. Conversely, if that heart, and on a greater scale, the heart of the nation is given over to vice, the nation will not stand.

Homosexuality is a vice, plain and simple. It goes against nature, and is clearly condemned in the Bible. The following is Romans 1:24-27

“(24) Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, (25) because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. (26) For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; (27) and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.” ESV

When the government becomes evil, by rejecting its foundation and creating laws protecting sexual vice, and special people classes based on sexual vice, it effectively destroys religious liberty, and ultimately destroys itself. The citizens who seek to do business and conduct their lives while honoring God are forced through a man-made law, to violate the higher law, the very law the country depends on for protection, and the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

“Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue?”

George Washington understood virtue and its place in the heart of the nation. There is no longer felicity in our nation as a nation. For the past 100 years, the progressive agenda has sought to undermine the religious underpinnings of America and replace it with a humanistic federal government that seeks to implement its atheistic world view through legislation. It has largely achieved that goal.  As a result, our nation has been and is being torn asunder, because unlike our Founders, acknowledgment of and submission to God--and truth--in our nation is not embraced but rejected. The Bible describes current day America in the book of Romans, chapter 1:

“(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (19) For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. (20) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (21) For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” ESV.

The Good News

The Creator is calling out to everyone though the world around us. And the good news is that the cross of Christ is where the sins of every person that cries out in repentance hang. A new life in Christ is one of joy, hope and love. This new life is the only hope for the lost, and for America.

Facebook Friends - Part 3 of 3

Here I am at Part 3, addressing possibly the most difficult question of the three. Difficult, not because of lack of clarity in the scriptures concerning the subject, but difficult because I may alienate some that I desire to maintain friendships with.  But am I a true friend if I don't speak the truth when I see error? 

"Better is open rebuke

than hidden love.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;

profuse are the kisses of an enemy." (Proverbs 27:5-6, ESV)

Like others, I inherently want to be liked by those I not only hold close to me, but also to those I wish to associate with. Speaking the truth (in love), when it rebukes another, can be difficult. I imagine that is a fault of mine. A purely selfish fault that gains strength through my worldly weaknesses. Why? Because I want to be liked by others. God help me cling to Proverbs 27:5-6.

In today's fellowship of believers, at least where I live, it is rare for one to confront a fellow believer when that person is behaving in a way contrary to the teachings of Christ. Is it because sin has entangled us as well? If so, the power of conviction pierces our conscience because of our own hypocrisy.  If it does, the power to speak is nullified in us and we become like salt that has lost its savor.  Jesus said:

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (Matthew 5:13, ESV)

Conviction.  Anyway, on to the question:

What does it say about the person who posted it?

 Before I dive into answering the question, let's consider this:

"Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:4-6, ESV)

And this:

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth." (1 Corinthians 13:4-6, ESV)

So now on to answering the question. Scripture's words are far better than mine, so here it is:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25, ESV)

If you claim to be a Christ-follower, take an honest appraisal of yourself. Are you consumed with anger, resentfulness and bitterness when it comes to the state of the country and/or the world? If you are, run to this verse and don't leave until you are ready to pass the test:

 "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Facebook Friends - Part 2 of 3

This is installment 2 of my Blog post of August 19, 2013. The introductory post was a lament concerning the way some Christ-followers express themselves publicly in judging the unsaved, which is not the job of the Christian.

Here is question number 2, and the subject of this post:

How do non-believers view Jesus based on these bitter, complaining Facebook posts?

While non-believers cannot respond to God because they are spiritually dead in their sins, on a human level, they sure can respond to all the other creatures in the world. Including Christ-followers. How then should Christians conduct themselves in speech and action, knowing that non-believers are hostile towards God (and therefore hostile to his message and his messengers).

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot." (Romans 8:7, ESV); and,
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19, ESV)

 Now that we know that this animosity is a given, and before moving on, let's revisit what it means to be a follower of Christ. Let's start with the fact that He made you.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

OK, so how should Christians go about accomplishing their mission? It's simple; 
"whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:6, ESV)

And here's how; "be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." (Colossians 1:9-10, ESV)

And finally; "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2, ESV)

As I said, simple. Definitely not easy, but simple.  

Let's move on. If a Christ-follower is living his life knowing he is God's workmanship, that he should abide in Christ, that he should walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, and be an imitator of God, will he not by definition reflect the life of the man Jesus? Now I ask you, is that what the non-believers see when they read caustic, emotional, and worldly posts on Facebook (and all other social media outlets) posted by those who claim the name of Christ? Hardly. What they see is a god that is unworthy of their allegiance. There is no opportunity for the conviction of sin. Why? Because they are not hearing the Gospel. The Word of God is not being spoken. And this is the very thing Christ-followers are called to preach. 

So before you cross swords with non-believers, "know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20, ESV)

Stay tuned for part 3.


 

Facebook Friends - Part 1 of 3

I have a few friends on Facebook that are believers (as in Christ-followers). Some of them have a keen interest in the heartbeat of our country and are dismayed in the direction that it is heading, both morally, and politically. They frequently post complaints about the current administration, what decisions are made, what is being said, and who is egregiously violating the Constitution.  Their accompanying comments come across as a bitter obsession, and it's caused me to reflect on these three things:
    1. Do these posts glorify God?
    2. How do non-Believers view Jesus based on these bitter, complaining Facebook posts?
    3. What does it say about the person who posted it?

I'll save questions 2 and 3 for another post.  So on to question 1.

Do these posts glorify God?
Let's see what Peter has to say about believers' behavior in their daily lives.

"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."(1 Peter 2:11-12, ESV)

When a Christ-follower says or writes emotional, derogatory things against the President of the United States, other elected officials, public figures (or any unbeliever for that matter), does it honor God? No. Does it bring reproach against Christ? Yes! Christ-followers are not called to judge unbelievers. 

"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside." (1 Corinthians 5:12,13a, ESV)

Reason with them in person, debate them on issues in the public forum, love them enough to share the Gospel with them, but don't disparage them.  Why? It puts you in the place of God (the only True Judge). And the last time I checked, everyone walking this planet, and even those posting on Facebook, are still just creatures.



 

God Bless America?

I've been thinking about how, when it suits him, the president, closes a speech with the words "God Bless America."  When he says this, I immediately think of the very laws, movements, proposed legislation, and philosophies he supports that are in direct opposition to the Holiness of God.  How can God bless America when we, as a nation, embrace and celebrate moral filth, legalized murder, and sexual perversion, just to name a few of America's "virtues", and its "tolerance" of, no, not just tolerance, but its enthusiastic promotion of evil.

America the nation is under the ever increasing judgment of God, not under his blessing. How else can one explain the triumphant implementation of morally corrupt laws as virtue, and the simultaneous suppression of and hate toward any expression of Biblical teaching in society as bigoted and evil?

When a nation rejects God by its actions, lip service from its leaders about seeking God's blessing is a mockery toward God and only adds to its sin. And sin, when it is fully grown, leads to death.  America is on a deadly collision course with God's wrath, joyfully tolerating, and militantly promoting the diversity of sin.

Time for a U.S. Army Muslim regiment?

An interesting discussion came up at home tonight as we listened to the latest reporting on the recent shooting at Ft. Hood.  The subject turned to Japanese Americans at the outbreak of WWII, and how they (whole families) were forcibly relocated and imprisoned--a shameful event in our history.  We then discussed how many of these patriotic American Japanese volunteered for armed service, and how effective they were in fighting for our country.  See the article Mullen Praises World War II Japanese-American Troops By John J. Kruzel of the American Forces Press Service, recently honoring the men of the 442 Regimental Combat Team.  The 442nd became the most decorated unit in U.S. Military history.


We began thinking maybe it's time for the U.S. Army to create a unit comprised only of American Muslims.  Think of the impact this unit would have on Islamic terrorism.  Assign them the vanguard in the assault on Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan and other fronts.  The Muslim population of America could proudly hail the service of this fighting force, for without doubt, they would be fighting for the ideals of this country.  And perhaps more importantly, provide bona fides to the public claims of moderate Muslims everywhere that Islamic extremism is a force not to be tolerated.

The Environment

I have decided to talk about the environment.  Not too many topics offer more cerebral stimulation.

So here we are in Northern Virginia, living in what my daughter calls The Shadow*.  The Shadow envelopes our protective wood, masonry, drywall, and glass refuge with its ever present gloom from dawn til dusk.  The Shadow demands our waking hours be executed under the focused glow of strategically placed vacuum sealed heated wires.  Occasionally these wires explode in a great blue flash.  These singular but irregularly timed strobes chase The Shadow at 300,000 kilometers per second for a millisecond before they expire. We shrink back in awe as The Shadow delightfully announces its victorious return by increasing its gloominess in the blink of an eye. We scramble to initialize our backup plan by ionizing neon gasses but the result is pitifully inadequate.

All is not lost however, because we have a plan to escape The Shadow on 31 July 2010.  Of course I can't detail that plan here or The Shadow might...oh never mind, this is getting wierd.

*Just to keep any blood sucking lawyers out there from getting any litigious ideas (and you know who you are!), my The Shadow is not to be confused or associated with this Shadow

2009, a year to remember

It's been over a year since I've posted. So much has happened. One family crisis after another, the country is in upheaval, the civilized world is threatened by evil men practicing the true calling of the Islamic faith...But, the Master of the Universe is in control, and these things must happen before real peace will come.

In the midst of the catastrophic events hitting my family during the year 2009, a life-changing realization hit me, not out of the blue, but from careful consideration. It is simply this; that the Reformed interpretation of scripture is true.More on that later. Just wanted to mention it.

Moving....again

I can't believe this is happening...right in the middle of one of the most exciting presidential campaigns in the history of the universe, I am MOVING! Not simply across town, but across the country. Gone soon will be the favorite question asked of me and others throughout all culinary establishments in New Mexico, "Red, or Green?"

What could possibly replace that? Hmmm....Oh, I know, "You are a Redskins fan, AREN'T YOU?" The combination of those words somehow immediately ignite a fierce chemical reaction (worthy of the 1986 Chernobyl exibition of the superiority of communist nuclear construction techniques), within the confines of my unsuspecting stomach. The unfortunate result being the immediate launch of its anatomy and rank exfoliation of its contents onto the unsuspecting veneer of my questioneer's face.

But let's not dwell on that, shall we? Let's rather pause and reflect on the impact other men have had on me from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here's one who comes to mind: George Washington. Listen to audacity of the man from a selected comment in his presidential farewell speech:

"Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence. Who can doubt that, in the course of time and things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it ? Can it be that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of a nation with its virtue ?"

Where have you gone, G. Washington?

Victory Gardens - I don't claim to have a green halo emanating from my thumb-like appendages, but I am sick of high gas prices. Huh? 

OK, what I mean is that the price of the motion lotion that we pump into our cars and trucks to move goods (read 'food'), and services (read 'everything else we use in life'), is breaking the bank of the every day working person, and threatening to break the back of our economy. 

So I decided to start a Victory Garden. Ah, a small meaningless gesture you may be thinking. I've wanted to grow my own veggies for a long time anyway, so this looks like a good opportunity. What about you? Grow some veggies and then share what you can with your neighbors. You know, those people whose names you don't know. The ones who occupy dwellings remarkably similar to yours, and whose walls are within spitting distance of your own. Who knows, a Victory Garden may just be good for you and your community. I know it would be good for mine. 

Oh yeah, and it would also send a message to those wonderful fellas running OPEC that they can try, but they'll never tear this country down.